The government has decided to construct strategic rail lines along the borders with neighbouring countries including China and Pakistan, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

The proposal for construction of railway lines along China, Nepal and Pakistan borders has been initiated by the Defence Ministry as a strategic line, Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain said in a written reply.

A total of 14 strategic lines have been identified, out of which four strategic lines -- the 378km Missamari-Tenga- Tawang line, the 498km Bilaspur-Manali-Leh line, the 227km Pasighat-Tezu-Rupai line, and the 249km North Lakhimpur-Bame- Silapathar line -- have been decided to be taken up in the first phase.

However, he said, none of these projects has been sanctioned.

Since all these projects pass through very difficult terrains of the Himalayas, stability, geology, constructibility, maintainability and safety issues are to be examined, he said.

Accordingly, the Final Location Survey (FLS) has been taken at a cost of Rs 345 crore. For the year 2016-17, the Ministry of Defence has provided Rs 87.18 crore.

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